Portable diving float



Nov. 26, 1957 a. K. BURNS PORTABLE DIVING FLOAT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 27, 1955 INVENTOR GORDON K. ums r 1.,- BY I AT TORNEY Nov. 26, 1957 G. K. BURNS 2,814,057

PORTABLE DIVING FLOAT Filed Oct. 27, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR GORDON K. BURNS ATTORNEY United States Patent cc.

2,814,057 I PORTABLE DIVING FLOAT Gordon K. Burns, Glenview, Ill. Application October 27, 1955, Serial No. 543,050 6 Claims. (Cl. 9-21 This invention relates to new and useful improvements in floats for swimming purposes and the like, and more particularly to a portable diving float.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a stable and light weight diving platform.

Another object of the invention is to provide a light weight diving structure which, when disassembled, is adapted to be contained in a package small enough to be carried in the luggage compartment of an automobile. Specifically, the diving float accordingto the present invention comprises an aluminum or other light weight structure supported upon three floatable balls arranged preferably, but not necessarily, at the apices of an equilateral triangle. The float balls are coupled to the structure by means of aluminum rims adapted to rest upon the float balls, said rims-having a G-shaped cross section for'rigidity, and avoidance of sharp edges in contact with the float balls. A screw threaded socket fitting is welded or otherwise secured to each rim at the point where the structure is to be attached. The three rims are interconnected by lengths of rigid aluminum tubing, screw threaded at the ends to engage the fittings on the rims. The diving platform is in the form of a rigid aluminum box structure in the form of an isosceles trapezoid, with holes in the sides thereof through which the lengths of rigid tubing pass. The bottom of the box is open, and is several inches below the surface of the water so that the sides of the box individually provide a keel action or effect to minimize skidding back away from the diver. An underwater step is made of aluminum tubing formed into a shape which hangs from the top of the platform box and provides hand grips just above the water line.

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the diving float exemplifying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate the same parts throughout the several views, the diving float 11 comprises a structure of triangular conformation provided at each apex thereof with circular rims 12, 13 and 14, each rim adapted to embrace a float ball at a point defining a small circle of the substantially spherical float ball. The diameter of this small circle is selected so as to locate the rim on the float ball at such a height as to provide (a) sufiicient height between the deck and the water line to avoid submersion of the deck during a dive, (b) sufficiently low metacentric height (distance between the center of gravity of the entire platform and that of the displaced water) to obtain satisfactory stability of the structure when supporting a diver, and (c) suificient immersion of the vertical parallel walls of the platform to obtain the necessary keel action against skidding during a dive.

The present invention contemplates a floating means having approximately spherical or elliptical shape in order to attain a minimum of turbulence when the structure is caused to move up and down resiliently in the water as the user is preparing to dive. This relative freedom from turbulence gives the platform the dynamic characteristic of an ordinary diving board having resilience and a minimum of friction- At appropriate angular positions (preferably to define anequilateral triangle) the rims 12 and 13 are each providedwith a threaded socket fitting 16 and 17, respectively, and rim 14 is provided with a pair of similar fittings 18 and 19. Said fittings are secured to the rims in any suitable manner; for example, welding. The rims 12, 13 and 14, as shown in Fig. 2, are of substantially C-shaped cross section to impart rigidity thereto, and also to avoid presenting sharp edges in contact with the float balls. Rims 12 and 14 are interconnected by means of a rigid aluminum tubular rod 21, threaded at each end to engage the fittings 16'and 18. Similarly, rims 13 and 14 are interconnected by means of rigid aluminum tubing or reinforcing members 22, threaded at each end to engage the fittings 17 and 19.

The platform 23 of the diving float 11is in the form of a rigid aluminum box structure, having a flat top or deck portion 24 (Fig. 3) trapezoid in plan view, with depending side portions 25 on all four sides. The side portions 25 terminate in laterally and inwardly directed flanges 26 to provide additional rigidity to the structure. As shown in Fig. 4, the platform 23 is provided with holes or openings through which thetubing 22 is passed or threaded. Correspondingly, holes are provided in the platform 23 for the tubing 21 to be threaded through. The platform 23 which is in the form of an isosceles trapezoid is in this manner supported on the tubing 21 and22.

. Having reference to Figs. .2 and 4, an underwater step 27 is provided, which is of U-shaped configuration (as shown in Fig. 2) and which may also be made of aluminum tubing. The upper extremities 28 and 29 of the arms 31 and 32 of the step 27 are formed into a hookshaped configuration adapted to fit into suitable apertures in the deck surface 24 and to hook onto the tubing 22. In addition, the arms 31 and 32 are flared or conformed at 33 to provide a pair of hand grips or handles. A fulcrum is provided at 34 adapted to bear against the side 25. Referring to Fig. 3, a ring 35 may be attached to the platform 23 as shown, to which an anchor cable 36 may be attached.

It is contemplated that the float balls 15 be made of I extra heavy gauge rubber or plastic materials to provide maximum life. Although the inflated rubber or plastic float balls 15 are shown spherical in shape in Figs. 1 and 2, they would actually be somewhat flattened due to the weight of the structure, as well as the upward pressure of water.

The structure described herein and constituting the present invention may be readily disassembled and stored in the inverted platform or box 23. For example, the float balls 15 would be deflated, then the rims 12, 13 and 14 would be detached from their respective rods or tubing 21 V and 22, the step 27 would be lifted out of its relation with the platform, and the tubing 21 and 22 would be slipped out or removed from the platform 23, and then all these parts can then be readily stored in the inverted box shaped platform 23 ready for transport or storage.

It is, of course, understood that the embodiment described herein is only illustrative, and that the details of construction may be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed-is:

1. A portable diving float comprising a platform hav- Patnted Nov". 26, 1951' 3 ing a trapezoidally shaped deck portion with depending sides, reinforcing members extending through. said platform along the nonparallel sides thereof and juxtapositioned subjacently to said deck portion, circular rims removablyg mounted on the ends of said reinforcing members to effectuate assembly. to said platform, and inflatable fl'oat balls onwhich said rims are adapted to rest on a small circle thereof, said platform being open-bottomed, whereby said sides individually impart during immersion a keel effect to prevent skidding of said platform.

2. A portable diving float comprising a platform having a deck portion trapezoidal in' plan and depending sides, reinforcing members extending along the nonparallel sides thereof and juxtapositioned subjacently to said deck portion, circular rims removably mounted on the ends of said members to thereby effectuate assembly to said platform, and inflatable float balls on which said rims are adapted to rest on a small circle thereof, said platform being open-bottomed, whereby said sides individually impart during immersion a keel effect to minimize skidding of said platform.

3. A portable diving float comprising a platform having an isosceles trapezoidally shaped deck portion with depending sides adapted to extend below the water line, reinforcing members extending along the nonparallel sides and juxtapositioned subjacently to said deck portion, circular rims removably mounted on the ends of said members to thereby effectuate assembly to said platform, and inflatable float balls on which said rims are adapted to rest on a small circle thereof, said platform being openbottomed, whereby said sides individually impart during immersion a keel effect to minimize skidding of said platform.

4, A portable diving float comprising a platform having a trapezoidally shaped deck portion with depending sides adapted to extend below the water line to impart during immersion a keel effect to prevent skidding of said platform, reinforcing members extending through said platform along the nonparallel sides thereof and juxtapositioned subjacently to said deck portion, rims removfloat balls on which said rims are adapted to rest on a small circle thereof, said platform being open-bottomed,

whereby the storage of all disassembled components of' said float is facilitated.

5. A portable diving float comprising an open bottomed platform having a tralpezoidally shaped deck portion with depending sides adapted to extend below the water line to impart a keel effect. to: prevent skidding of said platform, reinforcing members extending through said platform along the nonparallel sides thereof and juxtapositioned subjacently to said deck portion, rims mounted on the ends of said reinforcing members, and inflated float balls on which said rims are adapted to rest on a small circle thereof.

6. A portable diving float comprising a platform having a deck portion with depending sides adapted to extend below the water line to impart during immersion a keel effect to prevent skidding of said platform, reinforcing members extending along opposite sides thereof and positioned subjacently to said deck portion, rims removably mounted on the ends of said reinforcing members to effectuate assembly to said platform, and inflatable float means on which said rims are adapted to rest on a small circle thereof, said platform being open-bottomed, whereby the storage of all disassembled components of said float is facilitated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,142,592 Lindemann June 8, 1915 1,567,555 Straussler Dec. 29, 1925 1,758,289 Loy a May 13, 1930 1,886,522 Buck Nov. 8, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS 357,124 Germany Aug. 16, 1922 

